Fusion peptide inhibitors of human coronavirus 229E

Abstract

Fusion peptide inhibitors of human coronavirus 229E are provided. The fusion peptide inhibitors of HCoV-229E include peptide #121 (SEQ ID NO: 2: HVLGDISGINASVVQIQKEIDRLNEVAKNLHESLIYLQE), and peptide #125 (SEQ ID NO: 3: HRLRQIRGIRARVVQIQKEIWRLNEVAKLLNESLIYLQE). The fusion peptide inhibitors of HCoV-229E may be administered to a subject in need thereof to inhibit or prevent HCoV-229E cellular entry or infection with HCoV-229E. The fusion peptide inhibitors of HCoV-229E may also be used in HCoV-229E inhibition assays.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of inhibiting human coronavirus  229 E infection of a cell in a subject comprising administering a composition comprising a HCoV- 229 E fusion peptide inhibitor that is a peptide having the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:  2 , SEQ ID NO:  3 , and a combination thereof to a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the HCoV- 229 E fusion peptide inhibitor is a peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:  2 . 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the HCoV- 229 E fusion peptide inhibitor is a peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:  3 . 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the HCoV- 229 E fusion peptide inhibitor is a peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:  2  and a peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:  3 .